The US Satellite Industry Association (SIA) says that US communications satellite manufacturers and equipment suppliers, including Boeing, Space Systems/ Loral and Lockheed Martin, were hit hard last year by the country's export controls and increased European competition from Astrium and Alcatel Space.
California-based manufacturers lost "$1.2 billion of potential business" and "1,000 jobs" last year to European competitors, the SIA claims. The US share of the global market for communications satellites fell by 30% in 2000 and the 10 year average of 75% of the global business fell to 45%.
In 2000, European satellite manufacturers received 16 orders compared with 13 orders for US manufacturers.
Source: Flight International
